()California’s wine industry responds to growing appreciation for the balanced elegance and lower-alcohol wines. A new guide has been created to assist travelers to Napa or Sonoma who want to learn how to recognize and appreciate these wines.
Jordan Winery introduced the first Napa Sonoma Wineries Lower Alcohol Wine Tasting Map. This map is designed to help consumers who are looking for lighter, elegant wines with low alcohol.
“Interest in lighter wines is becoming more prevalent in wine country, as savvy visitors grow to appreciate the food-friendly charms of elegant wines that emphasize fruit and acidity over tannin and alcohol,”Lisa Mattson, a Jordan Winery writer, recently wrote about her experience with the winery. WineCountryTable.com.
There are many definitions of low-alcohol wine. Most of Europe defines low-alcohol wine as anything less than 13 percent. Jordan Winery defined low-alcohol as anything below 14%. This allowed only 39 wineries to be included in its Low-alcohol Map — 26 in Sonoma County and 13 Napa Valley — which is about 4 percent of all the regions’ producers. More than 800 vintners reside in the neighboring wine appellations.
The guide states that although there are four sparkling wine producers at Napa wineries, the warm Napa climate makes it less favorable to light wines and produces more cabernets.
For inclusion on the map, more than 90% of wineries’ production must be labeled at 13.9 percent ABV or lower.
These wineries are highlighted and have a lot of high-quality wines.
Cobb Wines: The alcohol content of Cobb Wines’ pinot noirs is below 13 percent by volume (ABV).
-Corison Winery is a well-known Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon producer. They are powerful, elegant, and have a long and interesting life.
-Jordan Vineyard & Winery: Cabernet and chardonnay are the focal points of Jordan Vineyard & Winery, with lower alcohol and intense fruit notes that complement a variety of foods.
-Nalle Winery : A small family winery which has been resisting the high-alcohol Zinfandel style for decades. It is the only Dry Creek Valley vintner.
Scribe Winery: In the same vein as pinot noir and chardonnay, Scribe Winery also offers silvaner for low-alcohol wine lovers and riesling at 13.5 per cent ABV or lower
Go to for more information on the low-alcohol wine tasting map and travel tips for wine country. www.WineCountryTable.com.